Predawn this morning (Tuesday) was rosy, but looked more orange thru the camera.

Monday--
Isla Mujeres remains at six cases, of which five are active and one is recovered.
On May 4, Quintana Roo reports 923 positive cases with 121 deaths, 122
under study, 439 recuperated, 210 hospitalized, and 162 in social
isolation. Cancun reports 696 cases, 84 deaths, and 341 recuperated. .

Graphic #2- In ten days, Cancun's total cases increased from 407 to 696, an increase of 289 cases

Graphic #3-Cancun's daily cases over the past ten days when the most in one day was 47 and the least was 8.

The Data-Cancun Cases & Daily Increases

Monday--COVID-19: CANCUN & ISLA MUJERES The state's first reported
case of Covid-19 was on Friday, March 13 in Cancun. There is now a total
of 688 cases & 83 deaths in Cancun, in the midst of Week 8, which
began Friday, May 1st. Friday was also when the federal experts
estimated Cancun's peak as April 30th, but the state Secretary of Health
said the curve had not yet begun to downturn for the city. Before last week, Isla Mujeres had one recovered case, but with four more cases last week and another yesterday, there are now five active cases, for a total of six in the municipality.

Their post on May 2nd says....A huge thank you to “Tio” Victor Montañaz Chan & Kenlly Leon
today for helping us prepare and deliver ‘Potaje de Lentejas’ to 200+
people. In addition, mil gracias to Isla
Brewing Co. for lending us their giant pot to help get the job done!
And to Bio Green Blue for providing the biodegradable to go containers.
Potaje de Lentejas is a thick & hearty lentil stew very popular in
this region of Mexico. For this stew we used lentils, potatoes, peppers,
carrots, pumpkin, squash, & pork. Plus, we added onions, garlic,
oregano, cumin, bay leaves and Mayan achiote for flavoring.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sunday-- Isla Mujeres now has a total of six reported cases of Covid-19, with one recovered, five active.
The first case was reported on March 26 & as recovered on Monday,
April 18. Six days after the recovery of that case, another active case
was reported on Tues, April 24th. There were two more on the 29th, one
the 30th & another today. That's four cases in the past five days, plus one from April 24th and the recovered one, for a total of six.

On May 3, Quintana Roo reports 911
positive cases with 120 deaths, 80 under study, 436 recuperated, 195
hospitalized and 160 in social isolation. Benito Juarez (Cancun) reports
688 positives, 83 deaths and 339 recuperated. The first
tent-mobile hospital unit for overflow Covid-19 patients outside the
General Hospital in Cancun has been constructed (#2). Two more are
planned for a total of 250 beds. There are a total of 13 (general care)
beds at the Isla Mujeres Community Hospital for all patients, with two
non-Covid patients admissions according to an interview published May 1st in Por Esto.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday--On May 2, Quintana Roo reports a total of 888 positive cases of Covid-19
with 118 deaths, 431 recuperated, 187 hospitalized and 152 in social
isolation. Benito Juarez (Cancun) reports 666 positives, 82 deaths and
335 recuperated. Isla Mujeres remains unchanged with a total of 5
reported cases, of which one is recuperated and 4 are active. Week 8
began yesterday, with cases more than tripled and deaths nearly
quadrupled during the two weeks since the start of Week 6...and Isla's
cases increased from one to five (one has recuperated).

Federal health officials say they "See light at the end of the tunnel for Cancun"At Friday's Covid-19 press conference at the National Palace,
Undersecretary of Health Dr. Hugo López-Gatell said Cancun should come
out of the epidemic soon. The Ministry of Health predicted the highest
peak of infections would be registered on April 30, and the number of
infections should begin decreasing after that date. Dr. Lopez-Gatell spoke with the Quintana Roo Secretary of Health, Alejandra
Aguirre Crespo, who said the data hasn't yet shown the inflection point
(where the curve changes direction), but there is a lower influx of
patients with Covid-19 in the Cancun hospitals. He said that
although Cancun could come out of the epidemic soon, as the cases
gradually decrease, he emphasized that this will only occur if the
healthy distance measures are respected, as well as the recommendations
of the state and federal authorities of not resuming work nor returning
to classes earlier than expected, otherwise the disease could flare up
again.

#1 Predicts Cancun's
ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Demand. The dates at the bottom begin with
March 17 (17/03) thru July 21st and red line is the median. The text
says: In decreasing phase / Peak-Accumulated beds: 63 /Available (April
30): 98. The right side says "Per 100,000 inhabitants" and the left is
the number of cases. It's from the press conference.

#2 is a Summary from the daily reports by the Q.Roo Health Department & here's my analysis:
QROO: Ratio of Recovered Patients Start Week 5: One in four (40 recovered of 163 total cases) Start Week 6: One in four (69 of 280) Start Week 7: One in ~three (161 of 511) Start Week 8: One in two (431 of 888)
CANCUN: Ratio of Recovered Patients Mid-Week 6, one in ~five (48 recovered of 229 total cases) Start Week 7, one in ~three and a half (110 of 378) Start of Week 8, one in two (335 of 666)
Cases in CANCUN have quadrupled in the past 20 days, tripled in the
past two weeks and increased 62%. in the past week. The STATE rates are
similar, quadrupled in the past three weeks, tripled in past 15 days,
and increased 61% the past week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Governor Carlos Joaquín explained that we are not done nor is it the time to say "we are going to go out tomorrow" because, to the contrary, we would have a rebound, a larger number of cases, a situation in which we put our vulnerable groups at greater risk

Intensified preventative actions in Isla Mujeres to fight the coronavirus
Precautionary measures have intensified in Isla Mujeres, due to the
current Phase Three of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the City government,
led by Juan Carrillo Soberanis, to redouble efforts to face the disease
and safeguard the integrity of the islanders.
The municipal Department of Public Security and Traffic has increased actions, with the strict banning of meetings in public and private places including "banquetera" meetings, as well as all "esparcimiento" activities (diversion/amusement/recreation).
Due to the latent risk of the health situation, the municipal Department of Fiscalizacion has established that all staff and customers must wear face masks, and clients won't be allowed to enter the business if they don't follow this hygiene measure recommended by the health authorities. The supermercados must sanitize the cashier counters at least every two hours and the carts between every use.
Municipal authorities toured the businesses, informing the owners of the new rules, who are putting up signs about the face mask requirement.
These measures have been implemented by the City to slow down the spread of the disease in the municipality, therefore random checkpoints continue in coordination between the personnel of Civil Protection and the Firefighters and the municipal police, who invite the population to stay in their homes and only leave to carry out essential activities.
The Director of Public Transportation has informed the general public bus service is temporarily suspended on Saturdays and Sundays, with the objective of avoiding congregating, while the regular schedule will continue Monday thru Friday.
The staff of the Department of Urban Development will continue touring the municipality to verify that no works are taking place since all types of construction have been suspended during the contingency, and closures will occur to those who don't comply.
Personnel with the ZOFEMAT (Federal Zone) agency, Civil Protection and the municipal Police have intensified surveillance of the beaches, on the island and in the Continental Zone, with the aim of avoiding the passage of tourists and locals, in the face of the health situation generated by Covid-19.
With these types of actions, the municipal government is working to mitigate the coronavirus disease and reiterates its commitment to ensure the public health of island families, especially in the current Phase Three of the pandemic.

Stay at home, avoid going out if it isn't urgent.

Avoid rumors. Official sources of communication are the best choices for information in this coronavirus pandemic. ~State Secretary of Health

DIF (social service agency) Director Yuseli López Tec said 623 families have benefited from the distribution of food packages ('pantries') of which 317 were made
with products from Chedraui and 306 were donations from Hotel Beló,
however, both in the island and the Continental Zone 1000 vulnerable people have benefited from pantries and perishable foods such
as pastries, yogurt, fruits and vegetables.
The DIF Director said there is a collection table at the Chedraui store available when the store is open for people who wish to donate and the DIF staff is assembling and delivering the pantries to the homes of those who need help the most.
At the DIF facilities and the Community Development Centers on the island and in the Continental Zone, Monday thru Friday 10a-1p there is a table with donations from Chedraui such as bread, fruit, produce and yogurt which is available to those in need.
The Director said this is a joint effort and they donate the product and the DIF staff are responsible for collecting it, verifying that it is in good condition, and bringing it to the food assistance table sot that those who need it can take it. They also document if any family requests more food because they are at risk, and they are assisted.
She concluded by saying that during this contingency there is immediate telephone attention available from
the Procurator for the Protection of Children, Children, Adolescents
and the Family to attend any calls for help from people at risk, at the hotline 998 375 3046.

Unfortunately, early Sunday morning Jabert Borges Quiñones lost his life
in an accident on Devil's Curve, and "Carlos N." was taken to Cancun
with severe injuries. The driver, "Eduardo N.D." was reportedly taken
into custody, who apparently lost control of the Polaris vehicle and it
flipped onto its side. Mr. Borges Quiñones was a beloved member of
the community who worked for the municipal DIF, social service agency.
Condolences to his family and friends.

La Terulia published photos and a document with an article alleging that a patient passed away at the Community Hospital and the body was taken to Cancun by Naval personnel using Personal Protective Equipment and precautions because it is believed the patient had Covid-19. In the comments, friends and family of the deceased say he was elderly and ill with diabetes and cardiac problems, and they believe those caused his death. Other comments advise avoiding rumors and only getting information from official sources. The document lists the preliminary cause of death as viral pneumonia, Covid-19, and below under significant pathologies it says hypertension and diabetes.

Governor: We are reaching the peak of the epidemic. It's good news that we have enough capacity in our hospitals

Monday--IM Noticias reports the sighting of a whale shark, in the whale shark observation area, by fishermen as they were heading back to the island at the end of the day. It is noted that the whale shark observation season occurs annually from May 15 to mid-September.

May 2--The Director of the Tortugranja, Daline García,
said that although the turtle protection season official begins on May
15th, personnel began monitoring the beaches a week ago. No eggs have
been rescued yet, but they have seen signs of attempted nesting by three
turtles of the hawksbill and loggerhead species. The other species
that nest on the island are the green turtles.
The
incubation area at the facility has been prepared and they are ready to
transfer any eggs there for protect ion. The municipal police and
personnel with the Navy and National Guard participate in the patrols.
The Director mentioned that the Tortugranja is not open to the public
and has no date yet when that will occur. The facility closed in
mid-March. The season for protecting the turtles concludes on October
15th. Last year there was a record breaking number of releases of
approximately 130,000 hatchlings from about 1600 nests, and this year
less that fifty percent of that number are expected. The turtles nest on
about a dozen beaches during the night. Due to the health contingency,
registration of volunteers was suspended.May
is dedicated to raising awareness of the general public about the
importance of sea turtle conservation, in coordination with the Isla
Mujeres Ecology Department and the Secretary of Ecology and Environment
(SEMA) of Quintana Roo, who publish information on social networks, as
part of the “Sea Turtle Month” program. LINK

The municipal Police prevented an invasion of a private property in Punta Sur, Isla Mujeres, as part of a protection measure requested by the Attorney General of Quintana Roo. In the operation two alleged perpetrators were arrested, according to Police Chief Jaime Ongay. The official shared a copy of the investigation document of the FGE (state Attorney General's office/ Fiscalía General) which was opened after the first invasion attempt on April 23rd. The police chief commented on the altercation involving a female police officer, noting that a warning was issued to the officer. He said, "The police officer slapped the person who recorded the operation with a cell phone, which was excessive and she was punished by her boss, but the intervention is legal, they acted according to the procedure, and the crime of dispossession and violation of restriction was established by the Prosecutor's Office.”The agents intervened to prevent the occupation of the property of the "Esmeralda" property, located at lot 5, manzana 37, supermanzana 9, in the Mar Turquesa subdivision, at Punta Sur, in response to a report to the 911 emergency telephone number.The prosecutor's office requested the help of the police based on the first attempt on the afternoon of April 23 at 2:20pm when a group of five people armed with metal tubes and sticks entered the interior of the property, shouting: "We have come to invade this place, so you better get out before the #### takes you away," according to attorney Mario Alberto Palma Pech. LINK

The few fishermen who are going out to catch seafood for local consumption report seeming sea trutels and dolphins in the fishing areas and closer to the coast of Isla Mujeres, which they attribute to the reduced activity due to confinement associated with the health contingency. Currently, mating green turtles can be seen at Punta Sur, particularly with binoculars, which is common at this time of year, but the area is currently restricted. The interviewed fishermen think there are more abundant numbers of turtles this year and commented on the sighting of dolphins near the cliffs, noting they were 'accompanied' by three dolphins as they approached Punta Sur. It is noted that Isla Contoy is also closed, since March 23rd, and theoretically may open on June 1st. Meanwhile the island is in its "greatest recovery" without the stress of the daily presence of 200 visitors. It is noted that nests of the Hawksbill turtles are more common on Isla Contoy, and will be protected, while low numbers occur on Isla Mujeres. LINK

A large slider
opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table
& chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole,
and the outdoor shower is out of the pic at left.

"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)

Free
amenities include hammocks,
portable beach
chairs, beach towels,
washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes. Panoramic
views from the
rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio &
the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea. Downtown
is ~ a mile away; we're on
all four bus routes or flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. You
can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then return to the quiet
neighborhood of Bachilleres and sleep to the sounds of the sea.. $275/$325/$425 wk $40/50/$65nt Monthly Discounts

Fine
dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the
neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of
links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk,
including Mango Cafe, Mike's Pizza,
Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen
Chuc, and the
large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery. Visit marinas, bars, &
beach
clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a
couple villas away at Casa
Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks
away in the village, as well as a
variety of other stores.

Sunset 7:12-7:25pm (beginning vs end of month)Sunrise 6:16--6:05amPainting by Pamela Haase at MVC

Turtles begin mating and nesting
in May. They can be observed mating offshore from Punta Sur
during this
month, and they nest along the eastern beaches. Tortugranja staff and
volunteers gather the eggs and incubate them in the sand in a pen
outside the facility. The Protection season officially begins May 15,
but Tortugranja staff usually begin checking for nests at the beginning of the
month. Three species nest annually in Isla Mujeres, Greens, Loggerheads,
and Hawksbills, and very rarely, a Leatherback will attempt to nest,
but generally the sand isn't sufficiently deep.

The season for swimming with the whale sharks normally begins on May 15th,
which ends annually in mid-September. They congregate and feed on a
'buffet' of plankton and fish eggs from a type of tuna. Rays are also
attracted to the feeding areas. Photos by Tony Garcia

The
Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn on May 5th, but can be seen
during the early hours (starting ~3a nightly) from mid-April thru
mid-May. The longest "windows" to see them as they near peaking are
the wee hours Friday & Saturday nights, May 1st & 2nd (which are
the mornings of Sat & Sun). They
peak as the moon is approaching fullness. On May 5th it sets at 4:55a,
so will be low on the western horizon, while the radiant point is in the
east. You don't need to focus on the radiant, because you may miss the
meteors that create the longest bright streaks flying across the sky.
This shower is caused by debris from Halley's comet.

During May, the climate changes Although
May is the hottest month in the neighboring state of Yucatan, here on
the coast, the hottest months begin in June. In May the "Perceived
Temperature" (thin line above the others) begins to rise, as the
humidity increases and the rainy season begins as the month progresses.
We've been in dry season since November-December, and late April &
early May are when firefighters are busy across the Peninsula fighting
brush fires. There are ~13+ hours of daylight in May & humidity
increases from 92% to 99% as the month progresses. Water temperatures
are 81-82 degrees.

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Climates to Travel

A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. In Cancún, the chance of a wet day over the course of May is very rapidly increasing, starting the month at 14% and ending it at 36%.
For reference, the year's highest daily chance of a wet day is 52% on September 27, and its lowest chance is 12% on March 22. Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Source: Weather Spark

Friday, May 1 Labor Day Official Holiday with offices closed.

May 3 Dia de la Cruz, a holiday celebrated by construction workers
in Mexico, and is associated with St Helena (Elena in Spanish). Normally, crosses
are placed atop construction projects, and crews take a break to pray
and eat together, with food & drink supplied by the owner.

May 5 "Cinco de Mayo" Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla against the French in 1862.
. May 10 Mother's Day

Sources for Weather Information:LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin (Spanish)LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish) LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation) LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres

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MVC Guests from Ontario wrote...

We have returned to Maravilla Caribe and we consider it to be a gem. Is it a luxurious resort? No. On the other hand, it's the kind of place where you feel comfortable sitting outside with a beer and watching the ocean, reading all afternoon in a hammock or going for a long walk along the shore. To sit on the patio with a plate of fresh fruit and a cup of coffee is my idea of the perfect morning. It's like having your own little private beach cottage - it's not fancy but that's not what we're looking for. A 15 minute walk takes you into the busy little town, full of great little restaurants and shops, and a $3 taxi ride will get you just about anywhere on the island. The landlord is friendly, accommodating and genuinely cares about and knows the local community. For anyone who wants a lavish package vacation, this obviously isn't the place for you - there are plenty of resorts that will fit your needs. Maravilla is a simple, lovely place to get away from it all.

Visits Since June 2011

Taunya from Washington wrote

Hi Ronda,

I want to say thank you again for a fabulous vacation! Your studio was perfect! Having the extra space, kitchenette and dinning table made the space perfect for a long stay. Your little details like coffee filters and ice cube trays made it feel like home. I also really appreciated that you were there if I needed anything, but that you also let me have my space.

Being out of downtown, yet close to everything made the location perfect. Add the beautiful beach and it couldn't have been any better!

Thank you so much! When I return to Isla I will be back on your doorstep. Happy Holidays!

MaraVilla Caribe Bed & Beach Guests Say..

Judy from Ohio wrote...I stayed at Maravilla and absolutely loved it. Beach and patio was kept very clean and since handicapped I would spend the days on patio with my laptop at table right outside my room. Each room had table/chairs in front of room. Not many places on isla you have the beach right outside your door-saves alot of money instead of renting beach chairs and buying drinks downtown. I also do not like crowded beaches and stacks of chairs next to each other as on the north beaches. You hear absolutely no street noise just the waves hitting the shore. There were bikes free to use, beachchairs free to take to downtown, and free washer/dryer to use. The price is excellent value and the owners live there so they do not need to list with an agency giving renters better $ value. Isla is not for everyone. But condo/luxury hotels now line the once beautiful North Beach for those wanting the Cancun version of places to stay, so sad, plus $$$$. I prefer peace,quiet, and great value. Not many places with sunrise/sunset views.

Renee from Toronto wrote...

For some of us, there comes a time when we prefer peace and quiet to hustle and bustle. For a few regrettable years, I got off buses and lined up with the rest of the schmucks to check in for the all inclusive 'experience'. I set the alarm daily to head down with everyone else to make dinner reservations for the pleasure of eating soggy Sushi served by brusque Bahamians. I wore the wristband of shame, identifying me as an easy mark on any excursion. I tipped and cajoled the bartender for extra shots of rum. I listened to the drunken monologues of people who get to cut loose just once a year. With the all inclusive experience, your fate is not entirely your own...

And then I tried something else, the self catering experience - more a case of here's your key, here's your apartment, have fun! Settle in, stock your fridge, stock your bar and you're off to the races. Happy hour is whenever you choose. No lining up at a buffet. Snorkel on your own time. Open a bottle of wine and cook a leisurely dinner - no one's rushing you out for the next seating. Sleep in and eat breakfast when you want, don't worry about the dining room being closed.

That's the experience I prefer these days. And Mara Villa doesn't disappoint. You get exactly what you pay for: a clean and comfortable room with everything you need. The experience is great for people who like to 'do their own thing.' In essence, staying at Mara Villa is like having your own private beachfront villa.

Amenities include good wifi, towels, sheets, dishes, pots and pans, a fridge and freezer, drinking water, hammock hooks, and a clothesline. Bonuses include a patio with tables and chairs, a charcoal BBQ, a beach for watching the sun rise over the water, and a rooftop for watching the sun set over Cancun (also good for star gazing and extreme suntanning).

The local bus passes by the front door and costs 4 pesos to head downtown. A taxi is about $2 into town. Chedraui, the big grocery store, is less than 10 minutes away by foot. Grab a cheap cab home if you've really stocked up.

Ronda is a great host - a storehouse of island information about where to eat and what to do. Bruce, her husband, is an avid snorkeler and can point you in the best direction off their private beach for underwater wildlife. I was lucky enough to see dolphins swimming offshore one day. Close to shore I also saw a barracuda, a sting ray and a pair of graceful Caribbean squid. The usual tropical fish abound as well.

It's worth noting that Mara Villa is located on the east side of the island, windward. The shore is more dramatic and rocky, but there are very few, if any, mosquitos. The west side of the island is calmer and more traditionally 'beachy', but mosquitoes abound at dawn and dusk. With the rocky shore, you need water shoes for entering the water and swimming, but you have the beach all to yourself at Mara Villa. Head to the sublimely Caribbean style North Beach if you miss the crowds.

I spent almost a month at Mara Villa and it was the calm, casual and relaxing experience I craved. I will be back to Mara Villa, but I won't ever go back to an all inclusive.

Call or WhatsApp (01) 998 937 8014

Click here for link to menus from most of your favorite restaurants & more information.

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Jane C from Penland wrote...

My friend and I just stayed at Maravilla Caribe, December 20-25, 2012 and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. The owner, Ronda made me feel comfortable before I arrived, providing helpful information about travel to the area. She made an extra effort to secure a larger room for us, which was perfect. Maravilla is quaint, charming, clean & comfortable. We loved the bright green color of the house! The kitchenette was simple, clean and well equipped with everything we needed to prepare meals. The beds are very comfortable and Ronda provides lots of clean towels. She even offered to let us use the washer/dryer and bicycles for free! The best part (other than the low cost) is you have your own private beach in the back! It is a beautiful place that I highly recommend.

Carol D from Peterborough wrote.....

Hello I stayed at MaraVilla, la Casa Verde :-), Dec 10 to 20 this 2012 for my first time and would not hesitate to return. This is my 11th year staying on the island and I have stayed at many places. The location is amazing, and the owners have modified the patio doors so that those of us who want to hear the waves all night can do so with security. They were super helpful at every turn and what meant the most to me is that they really care about their guests and are friendly. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch together. The room was spacious and clean. At MaraVilla there are only 3 rooms facing the water so it is peaceful, quiet and private. At MaraVilla, there were workers out painting the house in front and raking the beach and it was well maintained. There were no rocks on the clean tile patio. you do need water shoes to wade in to the water but it is worth it. And if you want to go to a more perfect beach i.e. no reef etc then one could go and pay 150-200+ per night at Playa Norte (but you won't hear the waves from your bed or have the privacy or owners that care about you!!). The bed was comfortable, mattress good, sheets in good shape and clean (more than i can say about the place i had the misfortune of staying in Progresso!!). Honestly you get what you pay for in this world and if you were to go to Tulum, or San Filipe or Progresso you are sure getting much more bang for your buck at MaraVilla in the 50-65 dollar range!!! If you are a 5 star resort person I would say stay at a 5 star resort, but if you enjoy the waves, quiet, privacy and caring owners then stay at this MaraVilla the Casa Verde :-)

Noska from Austin wrote....Maravilla is one of the coolest little spots on the isla.The hosts are awesome,location perfect,rooms are clean and affordable

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Music:

Fayne's has late night live music, starts ~10p

El Patio House of Music on Hidlago has live music evenings, usually HH show 5p, continues at 7p.